Letter-stamping- machine



Dec. 23, 1924. 1,520,609

J. c. SNODGRASS LETTER STAMPING MACHINE Filed y 1924 10" Sheets$heet 1 J. c. SNODGRASS LETTER STAMPI NG MACHINE Filed May 5, 1924 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 1924- 1,520,609

J. c. SNODGRASS LETTER STAMPING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1924 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 J. c. SNODGRASS LETTER STAMPING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1924 10 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Dec. 23, 1924. 1,520,609

J. C. SNODGRASIS LETTER S'IIAMPING MACHINE 1 Filed May 5, 1924 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 gnienloz flJWg MJ Dec; 23, .924- 1,520,609

J. C. SNODGRASS LETTER STAMPING MACHINE Dec. 23, 1924. 1, 520;609

J. c. SNODGRASS LETTER STAMPING MACHINE Fil y s, 1924 1o Sheets-Sheet v Q, gs

Willlllllllllllll Jlfwy/w J. c. SNODGRASS LETTER STAMPING MACHINE Filed May 5,1924

10 Sheets-Sheet s j W rw 1,520,609- J. C. SNODGRASS LETTER STAMPING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1924 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Dec. 23. 1924. 1,520,609

J. C. SNODGRASS v LETTER STAMPING MACHINE Fil y 5, I924 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Fatented JQSEPE C. 'SNODGRA'SS, OE NASHVILLE,

' siding mounted in the ZP ATJENT FEQE TENNESSEE, ASSIGN'GR TO BEVERLY R.

MOKENNIE, F NHSI-IVILIJE, TENNESSEE.

'LE'ITER STAMPING MACHINE.

Application "filed. May '5, 1924.

To all IF/7201M it may concern:

lie it know-n that l, Josnrrr C. Snooomss, a citizen of the United States, re-

at Nashville, in the county of Davidson and State of llen-nessee, have invented a new and useful Letter-Stamping llachine. of which the following is a specilication.

The device tt'ori ing the subject matter of this application is a machine of th'atgeneral sort which is used to print impressions of differentdenominations on mail matter in lieu of plz-icing stamps on "the mail matter. Machines of the hind alluded to at present are heavy and cumberso 1e, and one object of the invention .is to provide a letter stamping machine which will be light, portable and inexpensive. The present practice is to build such machines with intcrchangeablemeters, one meter being taken out, and another meter being inserted when it is desired to change the denomination of the postage which is printed on the mail matter. This invention, in view of the foregoing, has as one of its objects, the provision of a. letter stamping or "fra nking machine in which a single meter, permanently machine, will answer all purposes. Yet another object of the in vention is to provide novel means whereby, from a single point of force application, the printing member may be moved to present diilerently typed portions thereof to the mail matter, and, consonantly, to change the operation of the meter, so that the meter will operate justly in agreement with the particular denomination of postage which being printed. The invention aims to provide a print-ing mechanism of novel and simple form, and to improve the construction of the meter.

it is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the invention appertains.

Although a preferred form ofthe invention has been shown, it is to be understood. that a mechanic, working within the scope (Pl what is claimed, may make such changes and alterations as his skill may suggest, without in any wise departing from the spirit oi the invention, or placing the utility of the device in jeopardy.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 shows in top plan, a device con- Serial No. 711,180.

4: is a vertical section wherein most parts appear in elevation; Figure 5 is an end elevation, the casing having been removed;

Figurue 6 is a sectional view showing the printing mechanism; Figure 7 is a trans verse section taken approximately on the line 77 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a frag mental plan disclosing the letter stop and attendantparts; Figure 9 is an elevation disclosing the adjustable means for guiding the slide which carries the inking roller of the printing mechanism; Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view disclosing the parts as they will appear before the latch has been operated to cause the pawl to stop the operation of the machine; Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10 but showing the parts as they will appear after the latch has been moved to permit the pawl to lock the machine; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the rack or slide which controls the throw of the pawl that operates the meter; Figure 13 is a sectional elevation disclosing one of the wheels. of the meter, together with the guard which is carried by the wheel; Figure 14; is a section taken on the line 141at of Figure at; Figure 15 is a perspective view showing the pawl alluded to in connection with the description of Figures 10 and 11; Figure 16 is a sectional view showing one of the latch mechanisms.

The machine forming the subject matter of this application embodies three groups of parts, to wit, a printing mechanism, a meter, and operative connections between the printing mechanism and the meter, whereby the number of times that-the printing mechanism has been operated, will be indicated by the meter, the meter embodying means whereby the operation of the printing mechanism will be stopped after the printing mechanism has been actuated a predetermined number oi? times. The three instrumentalities above alluded to, will be separately described and, first, the construc tion and the operation of the printing mechanism will be set forth.

The device forming the subject matter of this application comprises a support, which is denoted generally by the numeral 1, the support including a casing 2 and a frame 3 within the casing. An operating shaft 4, shown best in Figures 3, 6 and 4, is journaled in the frame 3 and is disposed horizontally. The shaft 4 carries a crank 5 located externally of the casing 2. A handle 6 slides longitudinally in the crank 55,

so that one end 8 of the handle may be.

brought into and out of the path of a stop 9 which, as shown in Figures 4 and 3, projects from one end of the casing 2, the

handle being advanced into the position '6 and 7. The yoke 12 comprises stems 14 and a horizontally-projecting U-shaped head 15, the stems 14 of the yoke being slidable in the lever 10, compression springs 17 surrounding the stems 14 of the yoke and abutting against the lower part of the head 15 of the yoke and against the lever 10, a cotter pin and sleeve construction 16, or the like, being mounted on each stem 14 below the lever 10. y

An eccentric 18 (Figures 4, 6 and 7 is mounted on the operating shaft 4 and works within the head 15 of the yoke 12, the side portion of the. yoke having an opening 19 for the passage of the shaft 4, so that the yoke 12 may move in a substantially vertical direction, when the lever 10 is swung vertically.

A shaft 21 (Figures 4 and 6) is supported for rotation on the lever 10 at a point adjacent to the working end of the'lever, a polygonal type carrier or printing member being rotatable for adjustment on the shaft 21, so that the type on the different faces of the carrier 20 may be brought into operative relation to the mail matter to be stamped. A spring 56 (Figures 6 and 7) is mounted on the lever 10, and, cooperating with the uppermost surface of the polygonal type carrier 20, steadies the type carrier in any position to which it may have been adjusted. In order that the operator may know how many times the lever 10 has been operated, to print upon the pieces of mail matter, a counter 22 (Figure 2) of common construction is mounted on one end of the casing 2, the arm 23 of the counter being connected, as shown in Figure 4, with the lever 10, by means of a retractile spring 24.

Passing to the means whereby the shaft 21 is rotated, to dispose the different surfaces of the type carrier 20 in position to print on the mail matter, Figures 4 and 7 show that the shaft 21 is provided at one lower end 33 of the latch is adapted to cooperate with any one of a plurality of seats 34 (Figures 1 and 16) fashioned in the top of the casing 2, there being numerals 35 on the top of the casing, individual to the seats 34, the numerals indicating the amount of postage which is to be printed on the mail matter, and the several surfaces of the carrier 20 being so typed as to print the amounts of postage indicated by'the numerals 35. In order that the lever 10 may swing vertically, the shaft 23 being mounted for rotation about a fixed axis, a loose coupling 36 between the shafts 28 and 27 is provided. The coupling 36 may be in the form of a sleeve 37 receiving the upper end of the shaft 27 and the lower end of the shaft 28, as shown, for instance, in Figures 7 and 4, the shafts having lateral pins 38 received slidably in elongated slots 39 formed in the sleeve 37.

The printing mechanism embodies a means for inking the type carrier 20, and, considering this portion of the machine, Figures 4 and 5 show that a curved bracket 40 is mounted on the bottom of the casing 2, a vertically swinging lever 41 (Figure 6) being fulcrumed intermediate its ends at 42 on the bracket. A retractile' spring 43 (Figures 4 and 5) extends between the upper end of the lever 41 and the lever 10,

the spring being connected to the lever 10 at that end of the lever which is remote from the type carrier 20. The spring 43 serves to draw the upper end of the lever 41 against a cam wheel 53 (Figures 3 and 6) mounted on the operating shaft 4, the cam wheel having a notch 54 which the upper end ofthe lever 41 is adapted to enter.'

A slide 44 is provided, as shown in Fig ures 4, G, 7 and 9, the slide being longitudinally adjustable, to vary its length, as indicated at 45. connected by a pivot member 52 (Figures 6 and 5) with the lower end of the lever 41. On the opposite end of the slide 44, an inking roller 55 is journaled, the roller being adapted to cooperate with the working surface of the type carrier 20 (Figure 4). Figure 9 shows that guides 46 are mounted at 47 for vertical adjustment on the frame 3, the slide 44 reciprocating in contact with the guides, and being'held up against the One end of the slide 44 is guides by a spring 4C8 (Figures 5 and 8) the spring being mounted on a rectangular letter stop 49 secured to the bottom of the casing 2. Letter supports 50 are mounted on the bottom of the casing 2 and are lo cated at the ends of the letter stop 419. As disclosed in Figure 2, the casing 2 is provided in one end with a slot 51 through which the mail matter may be inserted, upon the supports 50, in abutment with the stop 4L9, and. beneath the type carrier or printing member 20. In order to gain access to parts which are located at the workend of the lever 10, the casing 2 is provided with an opening 5'? controlled by a closure 58, slidably mounted at 59 on the casing.

The device embodies a letter holder 60, appearing most clearly in Figures 7 and 3. The letter holder (30 comprises a substantially rectangular member including a vertical arm 61 slidable in a guide 62 on the frame 8, and a horizontal arm 63 overhanging the lever 10. The arm 63 carries a depending prong 64 which is slidable in the frame 3. The prong G4 exercises atwofold ofiice. Primarily, it holds the piece of mail matter, whilst the same is being printed upon by the type carrier 20, but, further, being received slidably in the frame 8, it prevents the letter holder from rotating in the guide 62, the arm 63, thus, being maintained in a position above, and in the path of, the lever 10. Phe arm 61 of the letter holder 60 carries an abutment 65. A compres ion spring 67 surrounds the lower end of the arm 61 and engages the abutment 65 and the frame 3, The spring 67 serves to carry the letter holder 60 downwardly, so that the prong (5-1 engages the piece of mail. matter and holds it in position to be printed upon.

In practical operation, so far the printii'ig mechanism is concerned, the han (lle 6 on the crank 5 is retracted until the end 8 of the handle is out of the path of the stop fl on the casing 2 and the crank 5 swung around in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 2, the handle 6 being advanced in the crank 5 so that when the crank arrives again in the position shown in figure 3, the end 8 of the handle will engage the stop 9. lVhen rotation is imparted to the shaft l, by the crank 5, the eccentric 18 on the shaft 1. cooperating with the head 15 of the yoke 12, swings the lever 10 and the printing member 20 up wardly. the lever swinging on its fulcrum 11. About the time that the type carrier 20 has reached the limit of its upward movement, the upper end of the lever d1 enter the notch 54 on the cam wheel 53 which is carried by the shaft 1. the lower end of the lever 41 swinging to the left in l" l carrying w'th it the slide inking roller 55, the inking roller moving across the working surface of the type carrier 20, into the position shown in Figure lVhen that end of the lever 10 which carries the printing member 20 is moved upwardly, the lever engages the arm 63 of the letter holder 60 and raises the letter holder and its prong 64L, the spring 67 being compressed. If the shaft at be rotated a little farther, the upper end of the lever 41 rides out of the notch 54 on the cam wheel 53, the lever 41 retracting the slide and the inking roller 55 into the position shown in Figure 6-but at this time, the printing mem ber 20 still is elevated and has not descended into the position shown in Figure 6. The

piece of mail matter which is to be stamped,

now is introduced through the slot 51 of the casing 2 on the supports 50 of Figure 8 into abutment with the letter stop 19. Continued rotation of the shaft 4; will cause the eccentric 18 to cooperate with the lower port-ion of the head 15 of the yoke 12, the working end of the lever 10 being carried downwardly, the prong 6% of the holder (50 being engaged with the piece of mail matter, and the type carrier 20 being moved downwardly with the lever 10 to print upon the mail matter. If the piece of mail mat ter happens to be of unusual thickness, the springs 17 will yield, and, thus, the yoke 12 can slide downwardly, under the action of the eccentric 18, the construction and opera tion being such that the type carrier 20 will not be mashed against the piece of mail matter. Continued rotation of the shaft 4 causes the eccentric 18 and the yoke 12 to restore the parts to their original positions, the end 8 of the handle 6 coming again into abutment with the stop 9.

The latch 32 may be raised out of the seat 34; in the top of the casing 2, and, then, the shaft 28 may be rotated, rotation being imparted to the shaft 27 by the coupling 36, the beveled pinions 26-25 rotating the shaft 21 and the printing member 20. Thus, any one of the printing surfaces of the member 20 may be disposed in such a position as to print upon the mail matter, and the particular surface which is to do the printing may be determined by engaging the latch 32 in the appropriate one of the seats of Figure 1.

Having thus described the operation of the printing mechanism, the meter will now be discussed.

As shown in Figures 4, 10, 11 and 13, ashaft 68 is secured in the frame 3, and on this shaft, a pivot rotatable member 69, in the form of a ratchet wheel, is journaled for rotation, retrograde movement of the ratchet wheel being prevented by a spring-actuated back-stop pawl 70, carried by the frame 3 and shown, for example, in Figure 10. A radius arm 71 is mounted to swing on the 5, and is connec 77 is mounted to swing on the shaft 4 but is held to the shaft by a spring clutch 78 (Figure 6). A back-stop pawl 79 is mounted on' the frame 3 as shown at 102 and is adapted to engage the ratchet wheel 76.

-.-The back-stop pawl 79 has a lateral eXten sion 80 (Figure 3) received slidably in a slot 7 81 (Figures 10 and 11) formed in the arm 77. The construction is such that if the shaft 4 be rotated in the direction of the arrow B in Figure 10, the arm 77 will move a little way with the shaft 4, the extension 80 of the back-stop pawl 79 moving in the slot 81 of the arm 77 and holding the pawl 79 out of engagment with the ratchet wheel 7 6, the spring clutch 78 permitting the shaft 4 to rotate in the arm '77 after the pawl 79 has been raised out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 7 6, and when the projection 80 has arrived at the rear end of the slot 81. This operation takes place when'the shaft 4 is rotated to actuate the printing mechanism and the meter, but if it is attempted to rotate the shaft 4 in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow B in Figure 10, then the back-stop pawl 79 will be lowered into engagement with the ratchet wheel 76.

The machine embodies a rack, denoted generally by the numeral 82, and shown in detail in Figure 12 and in place in Figure 3. The rack 82 embodies a bar 83 and a head 84 connected to the bar and in the form of a plate. The bar 83 of the rack 82 slides in the guide 30 (Figure 7) and the head 84 of the rack 82 is slidably held at 87 on the frame 3, the rack 82 having right-line sliding movement in a direction at right angles to the plane in which the ratchet wheel 69 is located. The bar 83-of the rack 82 has teeth 85 meshing with a pinion 86 (Figure 3) carried by the shaft 28 and housed within the guide 30. The head 84 of the rack 82 has transverse fingers 88 and a notch 89, along which the pawl 72 is adapted to ride, as it moves forwardlywith the radius arm 71 to rotate the ratchet wheel 69, the fingers 88 being of different lengths, and it being possible to shift the rack 82 endwise, so that the pawl 72 will ride along any of the fingers 88, or through the notch 89, thereby varying the throw of the pawl 72 with respect to the ratchet wheel 69 and altering the amount that the ratchet wheel is rotated. The ratchet wheel 69 is provided with numerals 90, running-from zero to one hundred, in

groups of ten and corresponding to the number of teeth in the ratchet wheel 69. The

ratchet wheel 69 has a side pin 91 (Figures 4, 10 and 11), adapted to cooperate with a star wheel 92 secured to a shaft 93 journaled on the frame 3, rotation thus being imparted to the shaft 93.

A lever '94 (Figures 10 and 11) is fulcrumed intermediate its ends at 95 on the ratchet wheel 69 and has a curved end 96. In the opposite end of the lever 94 there is a transverse slot" 97 receiving a stop 98 projecting laterally from the ratchet wheel 69. The lever 94 has a projecting'finger 99.' A retractile spring 100 extends between the lever 94 and the ratchet wheel 69 and tends to swing the lever into the position shown in Figure 10, the stop 98 being at the outer end of the slot 97 in the lever.

A plate-like pawl 101 is provided, the pawl being shown in detail in Figure 15 and being shown in Figures 5, 10 and 11. i The pawl 101 straddles the ratchet wheel 76 on the shaft 4 and is mounted on. the member 102 which carries the back-stop pawl 79. The pawl 101 is adapted to cooperate with the ratchet wheel 76 and is constrained to do so by a spring 119, attached to the frame 3. The pawl 101 is provided with an upstanding finger piece 103. A bail-shaped latch 104 is mounted to swing on the shaft 68, and when the latch 104 is engaged beneath the free end of'the pawl 101, as shown in Figure 10, the pawl does not engage the ratchet wheel 76, and the shaft4 may there-' fore be rotated, to actuate the meter. When, however, the latch 104 is swung from beneath the pawl 101, into the position shown in Figure 11, the pawl 101 engages with the ratchet wheel 76, and the shaft 4 can be ro tatedno farther, to operate the printing mechanism and the meter. At this point'it may profitably be observed that the latch 104 is swung from the position of Figure 10 to the position of Figure 11 (thereby permitting the pawl 101 to swing into engagement with the ratchet wheel 76), through the instrumentality of the finger 99 on the lever 94, when the ratchet wheel 69 is ro tated, and after the lever 94 has been tilted to move the finger 99 thereof outwardly from the position of Figure 10 to the position of Figure 11. Let it sufiice at this point to state that the lever is operated as aforesaid by a part 110 (hereinafter de scribed and adapted to be advanced, transversely of the ratchet wheel 69, into the path of the curved end 96 of the lever 94.

Upon the shaft 98 (which derives its ro tation from the ratchet wheel 69 by way of the side pin 91 and the star wheel 92) is mounted a pinion 105 (Figs; 4 and 13),

meshing with a second rotatable member or in groups of ten, if desired, and corresponding to the teeth n the gear wheel 106, the frame 3 carrying a pointer 1.08 (Figures 3 and 1) adapted to cooperate with the numerals 107 on the gear wheel 106. Assuming that the device is to be used in connection with a decimal currency, the gear connection between the wheels 69 and 106 is such that one rotation of the rateliet wheel 69 will impart 1/100 of a rotation to the gear wheel 106, one hundred rotations of the ratchet wheel 69 producing one complete rotation of the gear wheel 106, the wheel (39, therefore, being a cent wheel, and the wheei 106 being a dollar wheel.

The detailed view which is numbered 151 shows that a tubular guide 109 is mounted on the frame 3, and at this point the reader may refer also to Figure 3. In the guide 109, a detent rod 110, hereinbefore mentioned incidentally in connection with the mechanism shown in Figures 10 and 11, is mounted for reciprocation, and is adapted to be advanced by a spring 111. When the gear wheel 106 has been rotated through one complete turn, the spring 111 advances the rod 110 through a hole 112 in the gear wheel 106, and the rod then is in the path of the curved end 96 of the lever 94:, so that it can tilt the lever, if the ratchet wheel 69 be rotated relatively to the gear wheel 106. The rod 11( carries an arm 113, lo cated externally of the guide 109 and pivoted to the lower end of a lever 114; (Figure fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the frame 3 Access may be had to the upper end of the lever 11 1, and to the finger piece 103 of the pawl 101 by way of a door 118 on top of the casing 2 (Figure 1) and adapted to be held closed by any suitable locking means (not shown). A guard 115 (Figure 13) is fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the wneel 106, the upper end of the guard being accessible when the door 118 is opened fhe detent rod 110 bears against the side of the gear wheel 1 06, under the action of the spring 111, before the wheel 106 has been rotated far enough to permit the inner end of the rod to enter the hole 112 in the wheel 106 but, under conditions to be explained hereinafter, a spring 116, extended between the guard 115 and the wheel 106, swings the lever 115 against a stop 117 on the wheel 106 and interposes the guard 115 in the path of the detent rod 110, so that the detent rod cannot shoot inwardly, under the action of the spring 111, through the hole 112 of the wheel 106 and into the path of the curved end 96 of the lever 94: which is fulcrumed (Figures 10 and 11) on the ratchet wheel 69.

Let it be supposed that the latch 10 1 is holding the pawl 101 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 76, as shown in Figure 10. The shaft 4 then may be rotated by means of the crank 5, the eccentric on the shaft at, and the strap 74- imparting movement to the pitman 73, the pitman swinging the radius arm 71, and the pawl 72 rotating the ratchet wheel 69.

The amount that the pawl 72 rotates the ratchet wheel 69 is determined by the particular finger 88 (Figure 12) of the rack 82 which the pawl is traversing. The rack 82 is moved endwise by a train of elements comprising the bar 83, its teeth 85, the pinion 86 (Figure 3), the shaft 28 (Figure 7) and the arm 31 (Figure 1). If, as indicated in Figure 1, the latch 32 on the arm 31 (see Figure 16) cooperates with the seat 34 which is individual to the two-cent mark indicated at 85, then the pawl 72 (Figure 11) will traverse the longest one of the fingers 88 (Figure 12) and a correspondingly small rotation will be imparted to the ratchet wheel 69.

Continued rotation of the ratchet wheel 69 will cause the side pin 91 of the ratchet wheel 69 to cooperate with the star wheel 92, the shaft 93 being rotated, and the pin-ion 105 on the shaft rotating the gear wheel 06. During this rotation of the gear wheel 106, the inner end of the detent rod 110 rides in contact with the rigl'it hand surface of the gear wheel 106 in Figure 1 1. After the wheel 106 has been rotated far enough, the inner end of the detent rod 110 engages the guard 115 (Figure 13) and swings the guard away from the stop 117 and to one side of the hole or seat 112 in the gear wieel 106, the spring 111 advancing the rod 110 through the opening 112 and into the path of the curved end 96 of the lever 94 after the wheel 106 has made one complete revolution. The wheel 106 is now locked against rotation. The wheel 69, however, may be rotated a little farther by the pawl and associated parts, the side pin 91 having moved clear of the star wheel 92, the side pin being so set in the wheel 69 that the wheel 69 can be rotated farther, as aforesaid, before the pawl 72 engages between the particular teeth of the wheel 69 which rep resent the zero mark of the numerals 90 on the said wheel.

When the wheel 69 is rotated, after the wheel 106 has been locked by the advancement of the detent pin 110, the curved end 96 of the lever 94 rides along the inner end of the detent pin 110, the lever 94; being swung on its fulcrum 95, and the finger 99 on the lever being advanced from the position of Figure 10 to the position of Figure 11 so that, when the wheel 69 is rotated far enough, the finger 99 engages and tilts the latch 104, the latch being moved from be neath the pawl 101, into the position shown in Figure 11, whereupon the pawl 101 moves into engagement with the ratchet wheel 76 and stops further operation of the machine by way of the shaft 4 and the crank 5.

In order to set the machine, the door 118 is opened, the pawl 101 is lifted out of en gagement with the ratchet wheel 7 6 and the latch 10% is swung beneath the pawl 101, into the position shown in Figure 10. It will be recalled that at this stage'of the operation, the detent pin 110 is advanced by the spring 111 through the hole 112 in the wheel 106, the guard 115 being pushed to one side, into the solid line position of Figure 18. The operator now tilts the lever 114:, and, by way of the arm 113, withdraws the detent pin 110. Thereupon, the guard 115 swings against the stop 117 under the action of the spring 116. The guard 115 now is interposed between the inner end of the detentrod 110 and the seat or opening 112 in the wheel 106,'and, when the lever 11-1 is released, the detent pin. 110 will be advanced by the spring 111 against the guard 115 and cannot enter the opening 112 in the wheel 106. The wheel 106, thus, is set free. When. the machine is started again, and when the wheel 106 is rotated, the guard 115 is carried out of engagement with the inner end of the pin 110 and the spring 111 ad vances the pin. By this time, however, the opening 112 in the wheel 106 is out of alinement with the detent pin 110, and when the spring 111 advances the detent pin or red, the inner end thereof bears against the sine of the wheel 106, and rides against the side of the wheel until the wheel 106 turns far enough so that the inner end of the pin kicks the guard 115 over into the solid line position of Figure 13, and enters the opening 112 in the wheel 106, when the said opening again comes into registration with the part 110.

The operation of the device as a whole will be understood readily from what has been stated hereinbefore concerning its component mechanisms, but, generally stated, the machine embodies a means operated from a single point of force application for varying the step by step operation of the meter and for presenting the diii'erently marked portions of the printing member to the matter to be printed, as well as means for operating the printing member and the meter consonantly from a single point of force application. A single simple meter answers for all purposes, and it is not necessary to take out one meter and insert another meter when a change is made from postage of one denomination to postage of another denomination.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, a printing member, means for moving the I member toward and away from the matter to be printed, a. meter comprising a movable member, means for-impart ing step by step movement to the movable member, mechamsm for varying the length of said steps, mechanism for operating the printing member to present dill'erent portions thereof to the matter to be printed, and means for operating both of said mechanisms in consona-nce from a single point of force application.

2. In a device of the class described, a

printing member, a meter comprising a movable member, means for imparting step by step movement to the movable member,"

first specified means and the last specified means from a single point of force application.

3. A device of the class described com prising a frame, a printing mechanism and a meter permanently assembled with the frame, the meter including a movable member, means for connecting the meter and the printing mechanism operatively, means for imparting step by step movement to the movable member of they meter,. and mechanism under the control of an operator for varying the steps in thestep by step movement in the movable member.

4;. In a device of the class described, a printing member, means for moving the printing member toward and away from the matter to be printed, a meter comprising a movable member, means for imparting step by step movement to the movable member, mechanism for operating theprinting member to present different portions thereof to the matter to be printed, mechanism for varying the length of the steps in the movement of the movable member, means for operating both of said mechanisms in consonance, driving means for the printing member and for the meter, and mechanism under the control of the meter for locking the driving means after themeter has been operated a predetermined amount.

5. In a device of the class described, a

printing member, a meter comprising a movable member, means for imparting step by step movement to the movable member, mechanism for varying the length of said steps, mechanism for operatin the printing member to present different portions thereof to the matter to be printed, means iior operating both of said mechanisms in consonance, means for moving the printing member toward and away from the matter to be printed, mechanism for actuating the first specified means and the last specified means from a single point of force application, driving means for the printing member and the meter, and mechanism under the control of the meter for locking the driving means after the meter has been operated a predetermined amount.

6. In a device of the class described, a lever supported for svinging movement, a. printing member thereon, a slide supported for reciprocation, an inking element on the slide and cooperating with the printing member, a shaft supported for rotation, means for operating the slide from the shaft, a yoke carried by the lever, and an eccentric on the shaft and. coacting with the yoke.

7. In a device of the class described, a lever supported for swinging movement, a printing member thereon, a slide supported for reciprocation, an inking element on the slide and cooperating with the printing member, a shaftsupported for rotation, means for operating the slide from the shaft, a. yoke, means or connecting the yoke yieldably with the lever, and an eccentric on the shaft and coacting with the yoke.

8. In a device of the class described, a lever supported for swinging movement, a printing member thereon, a. slide supported for reciprocation, an inking element on the slide and cooperating with the printing member, a shaft supported for rotation, means for operating the lever from he shaft, .a second lever and a fulcrum therefor, means for connecting the second lever with the slide, spring means for moving the second lever in one direction, and means carried by the shaft for moving the second lever in an opposite direction.

9. In a device of the class described, a lever supported for swinging movement, a printing member thereon, a slide supported for reciprocation, an inking element on the slide and cooperating with the pninting member, a shaft supported for rotation, means for operating the lever from the shaft, a second lever and a fulcrum there for, means for connecting the second lever with the slide, a cam on the shaft and co operating with the second lever to move the same in one direction, and spring means for moving the second lever in an opposite direction.

10. In a device of the class described, a lever supported for swinging movement, a printing member thereon, a slide supported for reciprocation, an inking element on the slide and cooperating with the printing member, a shaft supported for rotation, a yoke carried by the lever, an eccentric on the shaft and coacting with the yoke, a second lever and a fulcrum therefor, means for connecting the second lever with the slide, spring means for operating the second lever in one direction, and a cam on the shaft and coacting with the second lever to operate the same in an opposite direction.

11. In a device of the class (escribed, a lever supported for swinging movement, a printing member thereon, a slide supporter for reciprocation, an inking element on the slide and cooperating with the printing member, a shaft supported for rotation, means for operating the lever from the shaft, means for operating the slide from the shaft, and means actuated by the initiation of reverse rotation of the shaft for step ping continued reverse rotation of the shaft.

12. In a device of the class described, a lever supported for swinging movement, a printing member thereon, a slide supported for reciprocation, an inking element on the slide and cooperating with the printing member, a shaft supported for rotation, means for operating the lever from the shaft, means for operating the slide from the shaft, a ratchet wheel on the shaft, an arm mounted to swing on the shaft, a slip-clutch connection between the arm and the shaft, a pawl supported for swinging movement and cooperating with the ratchet wheel to prevent retrograde movement of the shaft, and a connection between the arm and the pawl.

13. In a device of the class described, a shaft supported ,for rotation, a movable printing member, a movable inking element cooperating with the printing member, means for operating the printing member and the inking element from the shaft, and means operated by the initiation of a reverse rotation of the shaft for stopping continued reverse rotation of the shaft.

14:, In a device of the class described, a shaft supported for rotation, a lever supported for swinging movement, a printing member journaled on the lever, means for rotating the printing member from a remote point to present different portions thereof to the matter to be printed, means for connecting the sh aft operatively with the lever, a slide supported for reciprocation, an inking element carried by the slide and cooperating with the printing member, means for connecting the shaft operatively with the slide, and means actuated by the initiation of a reverse rotation of the shaft for stopping continued rotation of the shaft.

15. In a device of the class described a sraft supported for rotation, a printing mechanism operated by the shaft, a ratchet wheel on the shaft, a movably supported pawl cooperating with the ratchet wheel, a movably supported latch coacting with the pawl to hold the pawl out of engagement with the ratchetwheel, a first rotatably sup ported member, a second rotatably sup ported member having an opening, means for connecting said members for rotation together, and for relative movement, means fill Ion

lli'i for operating the first )r otatable member from the shaft, a lever fulcrumed on the first rotatable member, a detent spring-actuated to bear on the second rotatable member, and to pass through the opening, into the path of the lever, thereby to tilt the lever and to cause the lever to disengage the latch from the pawl, when relative rotation between said members occurs.

16. In a device of the class described, a shaft supported for rotation, a printing mechanism operated by the shaft, mechanism for stopping the rotation of the shaft after the shaft has been rotated a predetermined amount, means for actuating said mechanism, said means comprising a ratchet wheel and a pawl coacting therewith; a slide having fingers of different lengths, the pawl being adapted to traverse any of the fingers, thereby to vary the throw of the pawl with. respect to the ratchet wheel, and means for operating the slide to bring any of the fingers into operative relation to the pawl.

17. A meter comprising first and second rotatable members, the second rotatable member having an opening, a detent springactuated to bear against the second rotatable member and to pass through the opening after the second rotatable member has been rotated a predetermined amount, means for connecting said members for rotation together, and for relative rotation, a lever on the first rotatable member and engageable with the detent upon relative rotation between said members and when the.

detent is advanced through the. opening, mechanism for driving the first rotatable member, and means for stopping said mechanism, said means including a part located in the path of the lever when the lever has been actuated by the advanced detent. V

18. A meter comprising first and second wheels supported for rotation, a driving means for the first wheel, means for connecting the wheels for rotation together and for relative movement, a locking device for the driving means, a member movable on the first wheel to operate the looking device, a detent held by the second wheel out of the path of the movable member on the first wheel, spring means for advancing the detent with respect to the second wheel after the second wheel has been rotated a predetermined amount, the detent constitut ing means for operating the movable memher when relative rotation between the wheels occurs thereby to carry the movable member into engagement with the advanced detent.

19-. A device of the class described, constructed as set forth in claim 18, and fur ther characterized by the provision of a movable guard on the second wheel and cooperating with the detent to hold the same retracted, the guard being movable with the second wheel out of engagement with the detent.

20. A meter comprising first and second wheels having relative movement, a shaft supported for rotation, means .for rotating the first wheel from the shaft, a ratchet wheel on the shaft, a pawl adapted to cooperate with the ratchet wheel, a movable latch cooperating with the pawl to hold the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel, a movable member on the first wheel and adapted to disengage the latch from the pawl, and a movable locking member engageable with the second wheel to lock the same, and located in the path of the movable member on the first wheel when in locking position, to actuate the'movable member on the first wheel when the first wheel is rotated with respect to the second wheel.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH C. SNODGRASS. Witnesses:

A. R. TALLMAN, HENRY lV. COOPER. 

